Church leaders will join campaigners in London at the front of a march for jobs, justice and climate – ahead of next month’s G20 economic summit

The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, Father Joe Komakoma of the Episcopal Conference of Zambia, and Joel Edwards of Micah Challenge International will also be taking part in an ecumenical service at Central Hall, Westminster on Saturday 28 March.

The Rt Revd Dr Richard Chartres said: “As global leaders gather in London, it is crucial that the world’s poorest communities are not forgotten.

“The Put People First service and rally is our opportunity to make the case for a global society that is committed to tackling poverty, injustice and climate change with the aim of creating a brighter future for the many and not just the few.”

The joint action service being promoted by Tearfund, CAFOD, Micah Challenge and The Salvation Army – among many other church-based groups – will add a message of hope through seeking justice in the outcomes at stake such as job security and a greener economy.

Some 2000 Christians from all denominations will put God at the centre of their focus as the day calls for world leaders to put people first when they work to re-build a better economy.

“We need a world economy to be fairer, safer and greener if all in society are to benefit,” says Paul Cook, Tearfund’s Advocacy Director.

“G20 leaders have a chance in London to build justice into tired and failed banking systems. They have a chance to lift the poorest towards better livelihoods with stronger economies in their countries.

“And leaders have the chance to build economic policy that sustains the environment to limit the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable communities. This is the change we need, because cope they can’t.”

The Revd Joel Edwards says every step to eradicate poverty is a step towards God’s heart for the poor. “We want to set people running towards a just and better world,” says Joel.

“Putting People First is not a protest – it’s something far more significant than that. It is a reminder that millions of people expect the richest nations in the world to deliver their promise to the poor.

“And it is a reminder that we will not go away until our political will and policies live up to those promises.”

Under the banner Put People First – March for Jobs, Justice and Climate, the coalition of development agencies, unions, faith and environmental groups – over 100 organisations – will demand jobs and public services for all, an end to global poverty and inequality, and a green economy.

Representing all sectors of society affected by the global crisis they will send a message to world leaders that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.

Salvation Army Commissioner, Elizabeth Matear, said: “The church service and the march through London are a perfect opportunity to ask members of the G20 to consider the well being of the world’s most vulnerable people.

“The Salvation Army is an international movement, part of the universal Christian Church, committed to meet human need and work for social justice without discrimination.

“It is a privilege to join with the voices of many others to call for action on poverty and climate change.”

Charles Badenoch, CEO at World Vision added, “With this coalition of Christian charities all working together to unite the UK public under one message, I think it is more important than ever for us as Christians to stand shoulder to shoulder, side by side and declare in one voice, at one time, one message to end global poverty.”

The march will assemble on the Embankment en route to Hyde Park for a rally to be addressed by speakers and celebrities from the UK and around the world.

Those joining the main march from the Central Hall service will meet it as it moves through Westminster at around 12.30 and march on to Hyde Park.

The service and the Put People First March for Jobs, Justice and Climate come five days before the G20 leaders meet for the Economic Summit at the ExCel Centre in London on 2 April.

Notes to Editors:

Spokespeople will be available for media interviews. Contact Pascale Palmer 020 7095 5457 or Jonathan Spencer 07767 473516

The ecumenical service is at Central Hall, Storey’s Gate, Westminster at 11am (arrive from 10.30 – we are expecting a large turn out). Westminster or St James’s Park stations.

Speakers will include The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd Dr Richard Chartres, Revd Joel Edwards, International Director of Micah Challenge, Father Joe Komakoma and Executive Director of Progressio, Christine Allen. Music will come from worship leader Andy Flannagan and Peruvian band, Kausary – adding their rhythmic campaigning energy.

Catholic aid agency CAFOD says Prime Minister Gordon Brown must use his audience with Pope Benedict XVI to reflect on his part in the global economic crisis.

Director of CAFOD Chris Bain: “Today, because of the global recession, millions more people are being driven deeper into poverty. In the developing world, it is for many a matter of life and death.

“As part of the G20, Gordon Brown must right the wrongs of institutionalised greed and create a new financial model which acts for the common good. At the G20 negotiating table, he has the opportunity to be the voice for those excluded from the talks – developing and emerging economies – and it is his moral responsibility to secure their financial futures as well as our own.

“The meeting with the Pope is important ahead of the G20, because it sends the message that economics and business should serve people. CAFOD hopes that Gordon Brown will find the spiritual courage to put people first.”

Notes to editors:

• Gordon Brown will have an audience with the Pope in the Vatican on Thursday Feb 19. They will be discussing “development issues”. The meeting will be Brown’s first with the Pope since he became prime minister.
• CAFOD are part of the huge ‘Put People First’ coalition, which is made up of more than 60 unions, development agencies, domestic poverty, faith and environmental groups. The alliance will tell world leaders attending the G20 summit – happening just five days afterwards on 2 April – that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.
• On 28 March, the coalition is organising a mass demonstration, entitled ‘March for Jobs, Justice and Climate’. It will start at the Victoria Embankment and culminate in a rally in Hyde Park. It will demand decent jobs and public services for all, an end to global poverty and inequality, and a green economy.
• Contact: Pascale Palmer, Campaigns Media Officer, CAFOD,  +44 20 7095 5459, +44 7785 950 585